| Presumably the object of having a bank account is to | | | | wish to hold on to. Invest in an expensive shredder - |
| save you money, or at least to help you more easily | | | | the confetti type are best - for the ones you don't. |
| and properly manage it. But there are also several | | | | And then remember to use your locked file cabinet |
| ways in which your use (or misuse, as the case may | | | | and shredder diligently whenever you are through |
| be) of your personal banking account could lose you | | | | with your bank statements. It's for your protection. |
| money. Below you'll find out how to avoid the eight | | | | 5. DON'T bank online in a public place: Forget about |
| most common blunders when it comes to personal | | | | people looking over your shoulder for a moment. An |
| banking. | | | | even bigger threat in banking online at a library or a |
| 1. DON'T pay more than you have to: If you're like | | | | cyber-café or other WIFI hotspot is another |
| most people, you haven't really made the effort to | | | | computer user on the same internet connection being |
| comparison shop for the best personal banking terms | | | | able to snoop on what you're doing. Wireless |
| you can find. Most bank accounts have some sort of | | | | networks are not totally secure. People can use that |
| fees or another associated with certain aspects of | | | | opportunity to capture your personal information and |
| utilizing and/or maintaining your account, from annual | | | | sabotage whatever transaction you're making. No |
| fees to check-writing fees to fees for falling below a | | | | online banking emergency is so urgent that you need |
| minimum balance to so-called "overdraft protection | | | | to make yourself that vulnerable. |
| fees" to counter fees (to name just a few). These | | | | 6. DON'T be a loyalist: In other words, don't become |
| fees can slowly eat away at your savings. Banks | | | | so enamored with your bank, or so lazily accustomed |
| change their policies all the time, so it's never a waste | | | | to it, that you continue to bank there without |
| of time to look around and make sure that you really | | | | consciousness of how comparatively good or bad a |
| are getting the best deal for your money. | | | | deal you are getting. If you've consistently borrowed |
| 2. DON'T ignore your bank statements: When your | | | | money from the same bank, maybe it's time to start |
| bank statement arrives in the mail, do you simply | | | | exploring your other options. Even if you shopped |
| toss it without even reading it? Many people do. But | | | | around long and hard to find this bank, time passes, |
| bank statements often contain errors, and the only | | | | deals change. It's worth reevaluating every now and |
| way you'll know when one occurs is if you read | | | | again your decision on where to bank. And it's |
| through each statement carefully and compare it | | | | particularly easy to do this type of research online. |
| against what you know to be true (hopefully by way | | | | 7. DON'T be a stranger: Establish a relationship with |
| of a regularly balanced checkbook). Without | | | | your bank and the people who work there. The best |
| reviewing your statements, you could wind up stuck | | | | way to get the best possible deals from a bank is to |
| with a fee for a payment you didn't make. You could | | | | let them get to know you. Set up a meeting with |
| find that someone has copied your ATM/debit card | | | | the manager of your local branch, just to introduce |
| and made purchases against your account. The only | | | | yourself and key them in to your financial goals. You |
| way to catch this is to take it upon yourself to read | | | | may never actually need their assistance beyond the |
| your statements and check them for accuracy. | | | | norm, but if you do - if a problem arises, an error or |
| 3. DON'T be careless with ATMs: Be conscious of | | | | a financial emergency - you'll benefit greatly from |
| other people around you when using an ATM. Do not | | | | having already established a rapport with the folks |
| write your PIN number anywhere near your ATM | | | | whom you're asking for help. |
| card and be sure to shield it as you type it in. If you | | | | 8. DON'T be afraid to ask: Banks are in thebusiness |
| make a mistake writing out a slip, don't just throw it | | | | of keeping their clients. This sometimes means they |
| away or leave it lying there - pocket it and dispose | | | | will go above and beyond their normal service |
| of it properly later. If you request a receipt make | | | | offerings to keep your business. Whether you are |
| sure you take it. And many machines automatically | | | | looking for a more favorable rate on one of your |
| spit out a receipt after a transaction is completed | | | | accounts, free financial software, or even a toaster, |
| whether you request it or not. Be alert to this | | | | don't be afraid to ask about specials. In the process |
| happening and make sure to grab that receipt before | | | | don't forget to remind them how loyal a customer |
| you walk away. | | | | you have been. You'd be surprised how many |
| 4. DON'T leave paper lying around: After you're | | | | promotion items that are available to you, but are |
| finished reviewing your bank statements, don't just | | | | not given to you. It's just taking up space in your |
| carelessly leave them lying out where anyone can | | | | bank's storage room. |
| see - or steal - them. Even simply throwing your | | | | In summary, taking care with your banking habits, |
| statements away can lead to identity theft. Digging | | | | being protective of your banking information, and |
| through trash is one of the primary ways identity | | | | remaining aware of how the deal you're getting |
| thieves get the goods on their victims. Don't make | | | | compares with other deals available to you will help |
| yourself an open target. Lock away any bank | | | | prevent you from making many of the most |
| statements or other related documents that you | | | | common and detrimental mistakes in personal banking. |